Introduction to Land 'O' Giants 1997 Video


Dear friends,

1997 was a good year.  Although we had some disappointments, I was able
to grow my largest official pumpkin so far.  My 879 LB pumpkin ranked #7
overall in the The Great Pumpkin commonwealth for 1997.  This specimen
was set July 14th, very late by N.W. standards, and was still gaining
over 7 lbs. per day when harvested on Oct 3.  In addition, we also had a
pumpkin on the same plant estimated on the chart at 903 lbs which
developed a 1" crack a few days before the weigh off.

1997:  Hopefully my 1997 video will display the results of my completing
a college course in "Video Production", as well as an investment in all
new digital equipment.

A step-by-step procedure for starting seeds is illustrated.   We also
show the materials design and process for constructing an easy to build
16' x 16' green house to protect the young plant.  A system designed to
deliver solar heated, pre-fertilized irrigation water to each plant is
covered.  The sequential events necessary to hand pollinate the female
blossom are shown in close-up detail.   We document the actual setting
of the fruit, removal of the dried flower, and subsequent 14, 18, 21, 30
day etc. growth of the fruit.  A whole sequence is devoted to the basic
form of the plant, vine pruning, mounding the vines, and a basic
discussion of the structures that occur at each leaf axial along the
vine, including how to recognize the male and female blossoms.  We lay
out the materials for an easy and inexpensive shade structure and show
how to protect your growing pumpkin from the elements.

The gardens of several N.W. growers are visited as we see techniques and
methods being used by some of the most successful growers in  the world.
Jack  & Sherry LaRue had champion pumpkins at Remlinger farms and at
Half Moon Bay.  In addition, they had a 1016 LB pumpkin which would have
been World champion for 1997 had it not been for a tiny crack brought to
the judges' attention by the growers themselves.  State record holders
Don & Geneva Emmons, show us their beautiful grounds including one plant
that produced almost a ton and half of pumpkin in four fruit.  Our most
successful  1st year grower, Lincoln Mettler, proudly leads a tour of
his two patches and demonstrates for us his technique for storing male
pollen in liquid nitrogen.  ( A possible way to prolong the availability
of genetic material for a scarce seed stock).  Bill Wilson and Tom
Cunningham not only show us some nice pumpkins, but they explain their
method of warming their irrigation water.  

The exciting attraction of Remlinger farms are highlighted, as well as
the Giant Pumpkin Competitions at Half Moon Bay, CA and the Supermall of
the N.W. in Auburn, WA.  Although Disneyland was unable to do their
customary Halloween extravaganza this year, we finish off the video with
a monster mash affair of our own.  Also shown are cameo appearances by
Chris Andersen of Maraga, CA who is the 1997 World Champion for his 977
lb. pumpkin and Joe Miley of Odon, IN who won the $5,000 first prize at
the prestigious Week's Seed Event at Raleigh, N.C.


Cost of the 1997 Video is 25 USD.  WA residents 27.10USD  Pumpkin seeds
are included upon request.

Holland's Land 'O' Giants
Joel & Mari Lou Holland
P.O. Box 969
Sumner, WA  98390

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